Young baseballer strikes it lucky

WHEN it comes to baseball, young athlete Tyler Wood is hitting his development in the sport out of the park.

The Victorian representative player has been selected to participate in an under-16s baseball camp in the United States where he will compete in a tournament and find out about potential college scholarship options.

“We land in Dallas and go to a minor league game, and we spend the first week doing lots of college tours,” he said.

“Day three, we have a practice game, and watch a Dallas Mustangs and Texas Rangers game and on day five we visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame and visit a Charlotte Knights game.

“On day six we drive to Myrtle Beach, meet up with host families, and then our tournament starts at Ripken.”

Wood said he’s excited to have the opportunity to step out onto the field in the US and perform on a college baseball stage, while also meeting young people who are blending study and baseball throughout their tertiary education over there.

“It feels really good to represent Victoria in the sport,” he said. “It’s a great experience, and I feel honoured to be going alongside 17 other people.

“I’m looking to gain more skills from it, the coaching will be really good, and I can make a lot of friends that I may play with as we get up in the levels.”

Wood has been playing baseball for about five years, and he competes with Geelong Baycats, as a catcher and batter, and on third base.

Previously, he has competed in a few younger state teams, and is aiming to go pro.

“It takes a lot of skill to play baseball, which I enjoy, and I love everything about being on the field,” he said.